5th February 2026

politicians

incensed by gender fluidity

protecting paedophiles

© Rachel Green February 2026

On the Onset of Dementia

I've borrowed one of those folding tables

-- the sort people use to paste wallpaper

before forgetting which side faces upward--

and set out each of my thoughts and memories

in jars and bottles, collected over the last year.

Some are Kilner jars, big and heavy;

sealed lids to contain my darkest opinions;

the ones kept safe lest the authorities arrest me

for my opinions that gender is irrelevant

as long as everything is consensual;

Or that religion is just a framework

Where people can hang their prejudices on display.

Nobody wants these, even when I price them

at less than the empty jars

while other, in jam pots and mustard jars

are filled with easy listening,

like "Tuesdays should be coloured blue"

and "why aren't swallows yellow?"

And over the day the table is gradually emptied

Not by passers-by taking an interest and making a purchase,

but by some local lads who tip over the table

and smash the bottles and jars

Until my mind is gradually emptied

And all that is left

is my need to ask for pudding for breakfast.

© Rachel Green February 2026